From time to time, we can all experience feeling lonely, especially those of us who are more vulnerable.
They may be finding it hard to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression - especially now more than ever in these difficult times throughout a pandemic.
It is important that people can recognise these signs and help those who need some support or even reassurance.
What does loneliness and Isolation feel like?
This can be a tricky one as we can all experience loneliness in different ways however, one common factor is loneliness is the feeling we get when we are not receiving social contact with other people.
Loneliness is not always the same as being alone. For example, one person could live happily with having little interaction with people, while others may find this a lonely experience.
Individuals may find it hard to explain to people why they feel this way but talking to someone could help you find this solution.
Examples of Loneliness may be:
Physical isolation
Moving to a new location
The death of someone significant in someone’s life
Social anxiety
Ways to treat Loneliness:
Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional or counselor. People could also, contact Samaritans for free at any time of the day for a general chat which could be about anything, but this could give a person the reassurance they need.
Consider joining a group/class that focuses on what makes you happy!
Visit places where you can just be around other people e.g local parks, cafes/bars.
It is important when making positive changes in your life, to remember that it will not change in a day. The process can take some time until you find your feet and learn ways in which you cope with loneliness.
For example:
Try not to compare yourself to other people. Focus on yourself and the changes you make
Do not try to everything at once, by setting small targets, this can easily achieve without overdoing it.
Try not to tell yourself “I am alone”. There is available support, and many people experience feeling lonely.